
Grilling carrots is a great way to cook them, and wrapping them in foil is an option that can make the process easier. Carrots are a sweet and healthy food, packed with beta carotene and vitamin A. Grilling them can enhance their sweetness and fruitiness, and it also adds a smoky flavour. Wrapping them in foil helps to ensure even cooking and prevents burning. It also makes for easier clean-up, as the foil can catch any mess.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Recipe | Grilled Foil Packet Carrots with Garlic and Basil |
Prep Time | 5 minutes |
Cook Time | 25 minutes |
Total Time | 30 minutes |
Ingredients | 8 carrots, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil |
Instructions | Preheat grill to medium setting, place carrots on foil, add garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper, seal foil, cook for 25 minutes, remove from grill, add basil, serve |
Nutrition | 70kcal, 2g carbohydrates, 7g fat, 18mg potassium, 7.2mg vitamin C, 3mg calcium, 0.1mg iron |
What You'll Learn
How to grill carrots in foil
Grilling carrots in foil is an easy way to prepare a tasty side dish. It's quick, simple, and makes for an easy clean-up. Plus, grilling carrots brings out their natural sweetness and enhances their fruity flavor.
Ingredients:
- Carrots
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Basil (optional)
- Parsley (optional)
- Lemon (optional)
- Butter (optional)
Steps:
Prepare the Carrots:
Wash and peel the carrots. Cut them into even slices, about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Evenly sliced carrots will ensure they cook at the same rate.
Season the Carrots:
Place the carrots in a bowl and add your choice of seasonings. A simple combination of olive oil, salt, and pepper works well. You can also add garlic, parsley, basil, or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor. Toss the carrots until they are well coated.
Create a Foil Packet:
Cut a large piece of aluminum foil and place the seasoned carrots in the center. Drizzle with a little more olive oil, if desired, and add a small knob of butter on top, if using. Pull the opposite ends of the foil together and press to seal, then do the same for the other two sides to form a sealed foil packet. Leave a little room inside the packet for heat circulation.
Grill the Carrots:
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 450°F. Place the foil packet on the grill and cook undisturbed for 20-35 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your carrot slices.
Serve:
Once the carrots are tender, carefully remove the foil packet from the grill and open it, being cautious of the hot steam that will escape. Transfer the carrots to a serving dish and enjoy!
Tips:
- You can add other vegetables, like mushrooms or broccoli, to the foil packet for a mixed grilled veggie dish.
- Spraying the foil with cooking spray before adding the carrots can help prevent sticking.
- If you don't have a grill, you can bake the foil packet in the oven at 400°F for the same amount of time.
- If your carrots are still crunchy, wrap them in foil and continue cooking over indirect heat to help them steam and cook through.
Crockpot BBQ Meatballs: Easy, Slow-Cooked Comfort Food
You may want to see also
How long to grill carrots in foil
Grilling carrots in foil is a great way to cook them evenly and avoid burning them. The cooking time will depend on the size of your carrots and the heat of your grill, but here is a general guide.
First, wash and peel your carrots. For even cooking, cut the carrots into even-sized pieces. For larger carrots, this might mean cutting them in half or quarters. Aim for a thickness of around 1/2 inch. Place the carrots in a bowl and add your chosen seasonings and olive oil. Toss to combine.
Next, cut a large piece of aluminum foil and place the carrots in the middle. Pull the opposite ends of the foil together and press to seal, forming a foil packet. Place the packet on your preheated grill and let it cook undisturbed for around 20-35 minutes, depending on the size of your carrots.
Once the carrots are tender, carefully remove the foil packet from the grill. Be very cautious when opening the packet, as it will release hot steam. Transfer the carrots to a serving dish and enjoy!
Cooking Leg of Lamb: Gas BBQ Rotisserie Style
You may want to see also
How to grill baby carrots
Grilling baby carrots is a great way to cook them without heating up your kitchen. Plus, grilling enhances their natural sweetness! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grill baby carrots:
Step 1: Prepare the Carrots
Wash and peel your baby carrots. If using larger carrots, cut them into halves or quarters so they are around 1/2-inch thick at the widest point. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent burning. You can also use pre-packaged baby carrots, which are usually already cleaned and ready to eat.
Step 2: Season the Carrots
Place the carrots in a bowl and add your desired seasonings. You can keep it classic with just olive oil, salt, and pepper, or get creative with dried herbs, aromatics, or seasoning blends. Some popular combinations include garlic and basil, garlic powder and onion powder, or parsley and summer savory seasoning. Don't be afraid to experiment and find your favourite flavour profile!
Step 3: Assemble the Foil Packet
Cut a large piece of aluminium foil and place the seasoned carrots in the centre. Add a drizzle of olive oil or a couple of tablespoons of unsalted butter, if desired. Then, pull the opposite ends of the foil together and press them down to seal, creating a foil packet. Make sure to do this for all edges to ensure a tight seal.
Step 4: Grill the Carrots
Preheat your outdoor grill to medium heat. Place the foil packet on the grill and let it cook undisturbed for 20-35 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your carrots. For thicker carrots, you may need to use a combination of direct and indirect heat to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
Step 5: Serve
After grilling, carefully open the foil packet by cutting along the top with a sharp knife, being cautious of the hot steam that will escape. Then, transfer the grilled baby carrots to a serving dish and enjoy! You can serve them as-is or drizzle with lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, or your favourite dressing.
Tips:
- If using a gas grill, preheat the whole grill, then turn off half the burners before cooking to create both direct and indirect heat zones.
- If using a charcoal grill, rake the coals to one side of the grill to create direct and indirect heat zones.
- To prevent the carrots from falling through the grill grates, use a grill pan, grill basket, or heavy-duty foil laid directly on the grill.
- For easier cleanup, spray the foil with a little cooking spray before adding the carrots.
- Always be cautious when handling the foil packet, as it will be very hot and can cause steam burns if opened too quickly.
The Perfect BBQ Pulled Pork: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
How to store leftovers
Leftover cooked carrots can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for around four days.
To store your cooked carrots, let them cool down completely before transferring them to an airtight container and placing them in the fridge.
If you're storing raw carrots, they will last for around three to four weeks in the fridge. It's best to trim off the carrot greens first, as they can draw moisture and cause the roots to rot. Keep your carrots dry and unwashed until you're ready to eat or cook them, and store them in the coolest part of your refrigerator.
Mastering Veggies on the Barbecue: A Summer Cooking Guide
You may want to see also
What to serve with grilled carrots
Grilled carrots are a delicious, healthy side dish for any summer meal. They are packed with natural sweetness and smoky grilled flavour. You can serve them with your favourite protein or classic BBQ fare like veggie burgers, black bean burgers, or a saucy tofu sandwich.
Grilled carrots are also tasty on their own, but you can also serve them with a drizzle of a flavorful sauce like cilantro lime dressing or balsamic vinaigrette.
You can also serve them as a larger composed side dish. Spread a scoop of whipped ricotta on a serving platter and sprinkle cooked farro on top. Then, add the grilled carrots and top them with crushed pistachios, fresh parsley, and squeezes of fresh lemon juice.
- Burgers
- Grilled chicken legs
- Sweet potato black bean burgers
- Grilled pork chops
- Grilled lemon chicken
- Grilled corn
- Grilled broccoli
- Grilled Brussels sprouts
- Grilled balsamic mushrooms
BBQ Bacon: Can You Grill This Meat?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Depending on the size of your carrots, you should cook them for 20-35 minutes.
Preheat your grill to medium heat, or 450F.
You can use any seasonings you like. Classic options include olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add dried herbs, aromatics, seasoning blends, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, or citrus.
It is usually a good idea to peel carrots before grilling them as the peels can be tough and fibrous. The only exception is with younger carrots that have very thin skin. If you choose not to peel the carrot, make sure to scrub it well to remove any dirt or debris.